League Preview: Cobh Ramblers -v- UCD

COBH RAMBLERS

Cobh Ramblers come into this match against UCD on an unbeaten three match run in the SSE Airtricity League First Division. A 1-0 win over Waterford United is sandwiched between an away 2-2 draw with Cabinteely FC and their most recent point in the 1-1 draw with Shelbourne at Tolka Park.

The Rams lost this fixture 3-0 on the opening weekend of this season but since that defeat they have been beaten just twice at St. Colman's Park. On  Saturday they face UCD at home with a 7.45pm kick off.

Manager Stephen Henderson knows he needs to strengthen his squad. “We've had lot of injuries and losing players going to America to further their careers and lads doing the Leaving Cert,” explained Henderson speaking to Cork’s Red FM.

“We know we have to bring young players through. That will be our remit for the foreseeable future. But if we can get two or three experienced players to come in and help these young players along, we will have a very good side in the next year or two. We have only lost two in the last 10 games which shows the potential is there."

The Rams are currently in sixth position with sixteen points and have a game in hand over  opponents UCD.

UCD

This week UCD were drawn to play Luxembourg's  F91 Dudelange in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers but before then they will be looking to extend a super eleven match unbeaten SSE Airtricity First Division run with the trip to Cobh Ramblers on Saturday.

Manager Collie O’Neill has his squad sitting in third place and promotion for the Students is a real possibility.

The team can welcome back Dan Tobin and Daire O'Connor plus Sean Byrne who have now completed their Leaving Certs.

Goalkeeper Niall Corbet and his defence of Mark Langtry, Ryan Mclaughlin, Mick Leahy and Tomas Boyle have conceded just thirteen goals so far in the campaign. Up front Ryan Swan has found the net on ten occasions with four in one match against Cabinteely FC.

The Students have a chance to go second in the table if they win in Cork on Saturday.

Referee: Robert Hennessey

MATCH STATS

UCD midfielder Jamie Doyle scored on his League Of Ireland debut when the Students beat Cobh Ramblers 3-0 at St. Colman's Park on the opening weekend of the 2015 season.

Darren Murphy and Robert Waters are Cobh Ramblers current joined top scorers with three goals each.

UCD qualified for the Europa League after the Republic of Ireland was granted an extra place after finishing third in UEFA’s 2014-15 Fair Play table.

BETTING

Cobh Ramblers 10/3; Draw 11/5; UCD 5/6

PREDICTION

2-1 win to the Students.

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Unknown

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended: Stephen Kenny, Shane O'Connor

UCD

Injured: Unknown

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended: None